The Round Up by juniorgolfHQ Vol. 3
The Round Up by juniorgolfHQ
April 2026
What’s on the tee…
Spring is upon us, and for those in the northern parts of the country, golf season is finally here. While many golfers and courses are just beginning to thaw from a brutal winter, junior golf has taken no such respite during an action-packed March.
The month kicked off with the Dustin Johnson World Junior Invitational, followed by an incredible showing at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. We are excited to bring you recaps and highlights from these two premier events on the boys' and girls' junior circuits.
If you follow us on social media, you’ll have seen us launch our first-ever ‘Coach Profile’ featuring the Head Men’s Golf Coach at Santa Clara University, Andrew Larkin. Below is some additional content regarding Coach Larkin and his recent success building Santa Clara into a truly premier college golf program.
If you are a player, coach, or influencer in the junior golf world, please reach out to us—we would love to feature you in the future!
April will be a quieter month on the junior circuit with no majors on the calendar. However, we’d be remiss not to highlight events like the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where a slate of juniors are scheduled to appear; the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals; and The Masters, which will feature defending U.S. Amateur Champion Mason Howell.
2026 March Major Junior Tournament Results
Dustin Johnson World Junior Invitational
March 6-8, 2026
TPC Myrtle Beach
Boys Champion: William Lisle (2027)
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WAGR: 586th
Amateur Golf Info: 338thAJGA: 32ndWilliam Lisle emerged victorious at the 2026 Dustin Johnson World Junior, delivering a masterclass in resilience. The Class of 2027 standout was the only player in the field to card three consecutive rounds under par, punctuated by a clutch birdie on the 54th hole to secure a one-shot victory.
A future Texas Longhorn by way of the U.K., Lisle has rapidly ascended the amateur rankings. Following a top-10 finish at the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship, he now finds himself in the winner’s circle in just his second start of the year. It was a poetic result for Lisle, who missed the cut at this same event in 2025 before returning this year with a vengeance.
Playing in the final group, Lisle’s Sunday started precariously with a front-nine 38. A bogey at the 11th hole left him facing a daunting five-shot deficit, needing something spectacular to reclaim the lead. "Spectacular" proved to be an understatement; an eagle at the 14th provided a glimmer of hope, and a birdie at the 16th pulled him into a tie for the lead. In the biggest moment of his young career, Lisle birdied the par-5 18th for the third straight day to cap off a thrilling comeback.
Lisle still has three seasons of junior golf remaining before enrolling at Texas in the fall of 2027. While his next start is yet to be announced, his dominant early-season form suggests he will be a force to reckon with on both the junior circuit and in USGA championships.
Rounding out the top three were Chase Bauer (2028) and Theodore Snyder (2026), the only other players to finish the championship under par. Bauer continues his own hot streak, adding a solo second to his recent runner-up finish at the New Year’s Invitational. Snyder, a future Yale Bulldog, followed up his podium finish at the DJ World Junior with another strong top-10 showing at the Mizuno West Coast Classic.
Leaderboard
-4 | William Lisle | 71-70-71=212-3 | Chase Bauer | 69-75-69=213-1 | Theodore Snyder | 71-74-70=215
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Dustin Johnson World Golf Junior Championship
March 6-8, 2026
TPC Myrtle Beach
Champion: Fay Jia (2028)
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WAGR: 439th
Amateur Golf Info: 656thAJGA: 23rdMuch like William Lisle, Fay Jia entered the 2026 Dustin Johnson World Junior looking for redemption after a disappointing missed cut in 2025. She returned this year on a mission, ultimately standing in the winner’s circle after a commandingly steady performance.
Jia was the only player in the field to finish at level par, carding rounds of 71-74-71 for a 54-hole total of 216. Her Sunday charge was nothing short of spectacular; she began the final round facing a six-shot deficit—a gap many would consider insurmountable under tournament pressure. However, while the rest of the field struggled in difficult final-round conditions, Jia’s consistency allowed her to surge past the leaders and secure a four-shot victory.
Following the round, a stunned Jia admitted she was unaware of how close the race had become. “I didn’t look at the leaderboard a single time,” she stated. “I just focused on my process.” Jia also touched on her personal journey, noting that she often struggles with self-confidence. This victory serves as a definitive proof of concept, showing that her hard work has paid off and that she belongs at the highest level of junior golf.
The Murrieta, California, native has not yet committed to a college program, but this high-profile win will undoubtedly put her at the top of the recruiting radar for major programs across the country.
Finishing in a three-way tie for second were Eileen Park, Macie Rasmussen, and Michelle Xing, who all finished at 4-over par (220). For Rasmussen, this marks her third consecutive runner-up finish dating back to late 2025—though she is no stranger to the winner's circle, having hoisted two trophies last season. Expect this trio to remain fixtures on the leaderboards throughout the 2026 season.
Leaderboard
E | Fay Jia | 71-74-71=216+4 | Eileen Park | 75-73-72=220+4 | Macie Rasmussen | 70-73-77=220+4 | Michelle Xing | 70-72-78=220Instagram post
Junior Invitational
March 11-14, 2026
Sage Valley Golf Club
Champions:
Asterisk Talley (2027) and Miles Russell (2027)
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WAGR: 10th
AGI: 5thAJGA: 1stInstagram post
WAGR: 8th
AGI: 2ndAJGA: 1stThe cream has once again risen to the top at Sage Valley. World-beaters Asterisk Talley and Miles Russell have been crowned champions at the Junior Invitational, with both phenoms collecting their second career Gold Jackets—a feat, it should be noted, that even Shooter McGavin has yet to accomplish.
Since its founding in 2011, the Junior Invitational has rapidly ascended to become the undisputed premier event in junior golf. What began as an elite boys' showcase expanded in 2022 to include an inaugural girls' championship, further cementing its status on the global stage.
Each year, an elite field of 60 juniors (36 boys and 24 girls) descends upon the pristine grounds of Sage Valley to compete for one of the most treasured titles in the sport. For Talley and Russell, this second victory isn't just a win—it’s a definitive statement as they continue to distance themselves from the rest of the pack in the 2026 season.
Before diving into the tournament play, juniorgolfHQ caught up with the Junior Invitational media team, who were kind enough to provide some deeper insight into the history, culture, and philanthropic initiatives of the Junior Invitational. The following statements come from Pete Davis, Chairman of the Invitational Sports Foundation:
Q: Can you tell us more about the decision to eliminate the use of caddies from the tournament this year?
The tournament committee made the decision to eliminate caddies for tournament rounds to bring this competition more in line with the junior golf and collegiate golf landscape and what these players see week in and week out.
Q: This event is very different from other tournaments where the players stay on property for a week, become friends and get to spend time together as roommates. Can you tell us more about that decision and why that was an important part of the event when the tournament started?
One of our primary goals with the Tournament is to create an environment where the players get to develop and nurture meaningful relationships with their peers and also compete against one of the most competitive fields in Junior Golf. This is probably one of the most important aspects of the event to the Foundation and Tournament Organizers. In a sport where so much relies on your significance as an individual, we want to give these athletes an opportunity to meet and build relationships with other players from around the world in a setting that is relaxed and conducive to this principle. When the event started, we realized that in order to attract players from around the world we would have to make it an appealing invitation and providing housing together on property has proven to be one of the things the players look forward to each year.
Q: We understand that the tournament covers the travel expenses for the players to attend and be onsite for the week. Can you tell us more about how that is funded? Is that through sponsorship or supported by the members?
The Tournament is organized and hosted by the Invitational Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization. All proceeds raised through Foundation go directly to support the event and the various programming efforts we offer, in addition to supporting travel for the players to participate in the event.
A big thank you to Pete Davis and the entire Junior Invitational team for running such a unique, exciting event and for giving us a peek behind the curtains into the heart of the Junior Invitational. Without further ado, on to the championship!
On the girls' side, Asterisk Talley entered the final round in the marquee group, trailing playing partner Amelie Zalsman by a single stroke and sitting deadlocked with defending champion Aphrodite Deng.
While Zalsman and Deng struggled to find their rhythm early, Talley moved with surgical precision. She quietly navigated the front nine in 2-under par (34) to seize control of the leaderboard. A birdie on the 10th signaled her intent, but the pressure remained high as Anna Iwanaga, playing just ahead, refused to fade. With only four holes remaining, Iwanaga sat just two shots back, stalking the lead.
However, Talley—a seasoned closer in championship moments—refused to let the door stay open. She "stepped on the gas" with a brilliant stretch of golf, carding birdies at the 14th and 16th to effectively put the trophy out of reach.
Reflecting on her composed performance and her second Gold Jacket, Talley was quoted following the round: “My birdie on 16 today was really nice to just kind of top it off. It was going to be really close if I didn’t make that birdie. Especially on such a tough hole, that was just the cherry on top.”
With this victory, Talley adds a second Gold Jacket to her wardrobe, making history as the first female player to win the Junior Invitational twice, following her initial title in 2024.
Reflecting on the milestone and what it meant to navigate the pressure of Sage Valley once again, Talley was all smiles. “It feels great," she said. "To be able to do it twice on such a tough course gives me a lot of confidence. It’s just so nice to win here again; I love the atmosphere.” The rest of the field will have their work cut out for them next year, as Talley will have one final opportunity to chase an unprecedented third title at the 2027 championship.
Asterisk Talley’s current run of form is nothing short of historic. Since December, she has teed it up in three competitive events and emerged victorious in all three. Coming off a solo second-place finish at the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, she now enters the 2026 edition of the tournament seeking a fourth consecutive win against one of the most elite fields in women's golf.
In a fascinating turn of events, Talley has secured a world-class caddie for the week: fellow world #1 junior Miles Russell will be on the bag. This powerhouse partnership not only highlights the mutual respect and support shared among these elite athletes but also underscores the Junior Invitational’s unique ability to forge lasting bonds of friendship. With a two-time Gold Jacket winner playing and a Gold Jacket winner reading the greens, the duo will be the talk of Augusta.
The boys' division delivered a true heavyweight battle for the title. The final pairings featured a trio of the world’s elite: Mason Howell and Tyler Watts, both top-10 juniors, alongside the eventual champion, Miles Russell. From the opening tee shots, it was clear this was a three-horse race; the chasing groups needed a miracle—and a collapse from the leaders—to have any hope of contention.
While the early groups posted solid scores, the leaders refused to flinch. Howell entered the final round with a two-shot cushion over Watts and a three-shot lead over Russell, but that advantage evaporated almost immediately when Russell carded an eagle on the 4th hole.
The momentum shifted further on the difficult par-4 9th. After a costly double-bogey from Watts and a string of struggles from Howell, Russell seized a two-shot advantage heading into the back nine. Both Watts and Russell traded birdies on the par-5 10th, keeping the tension high until the 15th, where Russell finally "stepped on the gas." While Watts managed a birdie, Russell carded his second eagle of the day, effectively icing the tournament and cruising to a three-shot victory.
Reflecting on his historic performance, Russell remained characteristically humble. “Rarely do I have an eagle in a round, so to have two today is pretty special,” he noted. When asked about his famously composed demeanor, he added, “I don’t know how I do it. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. I think just staying steady is something you need in this game. Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with that.”
With this victory, Miles Russell becomes the first player in tournament history to win back-to-back Gold Jackets. Like his female counterpart, Asterisk Talley, he now looks toward the 2027 championship with the unprecedented opportunity to chase a third title.
“It’s pretty special,” Russell said of the feat. “Especially at a place like this that has so much class. You’re just lucky to be here. To be able to do it back-to-back is quite an honor.”
Beyond the scores and the hardware, the Junior Invitational remains a powerful testament to both elite play and the unique camaraderie of the junior circuit. For these athletes, the week at Sage Valley is a career highlight—a rare chance to compete on a world-class stage while building friendships over shared meals and long days on the course. These bonds, forged in the heat of competition, are destined to extend long after their junior careers have concluded and they move on to the college and professional ranks.
Girls Leaderboard
-8 | Asterisk Talley | 69-75-69-67=280-5 | Anna Iwanaga | 74-69-73-67=283+4 | Yujie Liu | 70-74-72-70=226Boys Leaderboard-15 | Miles Russell | 64-70-72-67=273-12 | Tyler Watts | 67-69-67-73=276-7 | Mason Howell | 70-68-67-76=281Junior Invitational Photo Album
Quotes and Photos courtesy of the Junior Invitational
Up Next
All Things Augusta
April 1st-12th, 2026
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Women’s Amateur
It’s no secret that Masters week is the most treasured stretch on the calendar for golf fans and competitors alike. Every April, the eyes of the sporting world descend upon Augusta National to see who will be crowned victorious and don the iconic Green Jacket.
In recent years, however, Augusta National has generated significant buzz even before the main event begins. Since its debut in 2019, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) has become a premier 54-hole championship, held in partnership with Champions Retreat Golf Club. Each year, 72 of the world’s elite female amateurs are invited to compete, joining an illustrious list of former champions that includes Jennifer Kupcho, Rose Zhang, Lottie Woad, and Anna Davis—who won as a high school sophomore.
While the tournament is open to amateurs of all ages, this year’s field features a remarkable 23 junior players. After Anna Davis broke the mold in 2022 as the first junior champion, she proved that age is just a number on the hallowed grounds of Augusta.
Keep a close eye on Asterisk Talley, Aphrodite Deng, and Soonmin Oh. Not only are they three of the top juniors worldwide, but all three currently sit within the top 10 of the Amateur Golf Info rankings. These young superstars are poised to contend with their veteran counterparts, and viewers should expect to see several juniors charging down the back nine on Sunday.
For live scoring, player profiles, and more details on the championship, visit the official ANWA website HERE.
Drive, Chip & Putt
Following the conclusion of the ANWA, the spotlight remains on the next generation as Augusta National hosts the Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) National Finals. This year, 80 talented juniors—40 boys and 40 girls—will take center stage after earning their spots through three grueling rounds of local, sub-regional, and regional qualifying held across the country.
The competition is divided by gender and age, with four distinct brackets: 7–9, 10–11, 12–13, and 14–15. Within these groups, each player executes six high-pressure shots across three disciplines. Performance is measured against their peers, with points awarded for driving distance and cumulative proximity to the hole in the chipping and putting categories.
Launched in 2013 as a partnership between Augusta National, the USGA, and the PGA of America, the Drive, Chip & Putt initiative was designed to showcase the immense talent within junior golf. Since the inaugural finals in 2014—which featured future PGA Tour winner Akshay Bhatia—the event has become a proven springboard for success. We expect many of today’s competitors to follow in those footsteps, transitioning from the hallowed grounds of Augusta to the leaderboards of the PGA and LPGA Tours.
We are proud to cover these young athletes today and highlight their incredible accomplishments on the world stage.
Head over to the DCP website to learn more HERE.
The Masters
Two weeks down Magnolia Lane will culminate on April 12, 2026, when the next Masters Champion is awarded the Green Jacket in Butler Cabin. While invitations to Augusta are notoriously difficult to secure, it should come as no surprise that only one junior golfer is in the field this year: Mason Howell, who dominated the U.S. Amateur to punch his ticket.
Howell, a future Georgia Bulldog, was a relatively unknown name to the broader golf world until last summer. He first made waves at the U.S. Junior Amateur as the stroke-play medalist, though he suffered an early exit in match play to 64th seed Henry Guan. Undeterred by that disappointment, Howell arrived at The Olympic Club for the U.S. Amateur with something to prove.
After surviving a high-stakes 20-for-17 playoff just to make the bracket, Howell began a relentless assault on the field. He toppled 2-seed Tommy Morrison (Texas) and PGA Tour University standout Ben James in the early rounds, followed by victories over Max Herendeen, John Daly II, and Eric Lee. He capped off his historic run by walloping Jackson Herrington 7&6 in the 36-hole final.
By tradition, the U.S. Amateur champion is often paired with the defending champion for the first two rounds. This means Howell will likely walk the fairways with Rory McIlroy, who returns to Augusta looking to defend his long-awaited 2025 title. While a Cinderella story at the Masters is rare, Howell has already proven he has the tools to compete on the biggest stages. One thing is certain: this won’t be the last time we see Mason Howell navigating Amen Corner.
2026 “Major” Junior Golf Event Schedule
Junior Orange Bowl - January 2026 - Tomas Restrepo & Charlotte Naughton
AJGA Simplify Boys Championship - February 2026 - Grayson Baucom
The Fortinet Stanford Invitational - February 2026 - Asterisk Talley
Dustin Johnson World Junior - March 2026 - William Lisle & Fay Jia
Junior Invitational at Sage Valley - March 2026 - Miles Russell & Asterisk Talley
AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational - May 2026
The Nelly Invitational presented by Chevron - May 2026
Southern Junior Championship - June 2026
AJGA Wyndham Invitational at Sedgefield - June 2026
Women’s Western Junior Championship - June 2026
Western Junior Championship - June 2026
North & South Junior Golf Championship - June 2026
Rolex Girls Junior Championship - June 2026
RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic - June 2026
Wyndham Cup - July 2026
U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur - July 2026
U.S. Junior Amateur - July 2026
Boys Junior PGA Championship - July 2026
U.S. Women’s Amateur - August 2026
U.S. Amateur - August 2026
Junior Players Championship - September 2026
Junior Solheim Cup - September 2026
Junior Presidents Cup - September 2026
ANNIKA Invitational - October 2026
AJGA Ping Invitational - October 2026
Notah Begay Jr. Golf National Championship - November 2026
Rolex Tournament of Champions - November 2026
The Elite Invitational - November 2026
Junior Jones Cup - December 2026
The Sundae Scoop
If you are following our socials, you saw last weeks first ever coach profile. Andrew Larkin, Head Men’s Golf Coach at Santa Clara, was kind enough to join us and give some insight into his program, his recruiting process, and how junior golfers can succeed as they set their sights on a college program
Andrew Larkin - Head Coach, Santa Clara
Coach Andrew Larkin is in the midst of his sixth season at the helm of the Santa Clara Broncos, where he has already built a legacy as one of the most successful coaches in program history.
Under his leadership, the team has produced three of the top four scoring averages in program history and secured two team titles and four individual medalist honors. The program also boasts PGA Tour member Matt McCarty as a proud alumnus. Coach Larkin has guided seven players to All-Conference selections since his arrival—including three in the last year alone—positioning the Broncos as a force for years to come.
Larkin is an accomplished player in his own right, having notched 12 professional wins and two appearances in the PGA Professional Championship (2017 and 2019). Prior to joining Santa Clara, Larkin coached for the UCLA Bruins and the Occidental Tigers, his alma mater.
We asked Coach Larkin to share insights from his career and advice for junior golfers aiming to play at the collegiate level and beyond.
What do you look for in a junior golfer?
We look for a lot of different things. First, is it someone who can break par, can be comfortable with a chance to win a tournament, do they have the skills to evolve as they get older and the demands of the golf course get harder? We also look for players with the academic skills to be a fit for our institution in the classroom and for players that fit the culture of our team and want to be coached.
What’s your proudest coach moment?
My proudest moment as a coach is hard to define. I have been fortunate to have so many players and teams that I couldn’t be more proud of. A few of my top memories are seeing Devon Bling make the final of the US Amateur and later make the cut at the Masters. Another proud coach moment was a top 50 ranking and a trip to the NCAA tournament during the 2024-2025 season. Finally, seeing Matt McCarty win 3 times on Korn Ferry, a player of the year selection, followed by a win on the PGA Tour.
What are your favorite tournaments on the calendar?
We are so fortunate to head to some special destinations. We head to Bandon Dunes every two years or so. It is such a special place for our players to experience. We also had the opportunity to host the White Sands Bahamas Invitational in 2023. It was wonderful to see our players compete abroad and winning the tournament is something none of us will forget.
What is the best piece of advice for a junior golfer with college ambitions?
Take ownership of your game and journey. You will have a lot of great people and resources around you, but the journey and each shot are ultimately yours. No one can do it for you, so own what you want to accomplish and be motivated to work for it on your own.
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A big thank you to Coach for offering up some great insights for our readers. You can head over to our Instagram to see the post and some video interview content in the highlights section.
We wish Coach and the Broncos a great spring season and hopefully a return to the NCAA Tournament!
We love to feature our passionate Junior golf community. If you have a story, achievement, or event you'd like to share, send us a DM on our Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) @juniorgolfHQ
Until next month…..